A CHUMASH SHRINE AT VENTURA
The Chumash had many shrines. These sacred spots were where both private and public ceremonies would be performed. A known shrines in the Ventura area was located atop of the hill where the large cross is located north of the San Buenaventura City Hall. One of John Peabody Harrington's Chumash informants (Simp.) may have given the only firsthand account of what went on at the shrine. The following description provides some insights into what might have gone on at some of the shrines in the Simi Valley area. The following is taken from Harrington's notes written in his own hand:
"Inf. (informant) once went to ... shrine on the cuchilla (i.e., edge) of the point above Ventura. As soon as they reached the spot they started around it in a counter clockwise motion and went around 3 times. They wanted Simp. to go around with them but he objected. Then they tossed on the ground the frijol (kidney-beans), trigo (wheat), maiz (corn) and also the cuentas (beads) that they brought.
Where the shrine was level, not a slope, though the slope up which they had come was steep. Just as soon as they dura mas. nesc. washiko But thinks it must be the o.k. name. The sticks were not painted and of various diameters of 2" or so. The feathers were black and formeda (a drawing of the shape of the feathers) bunch 8" or 10" in diameter and very pretty. At center they pointed up. At sides drooped prettily. On some of the poles below the feathers bunch ....were hung by tying a string to the edge. The old ladies that went up there were 3 in number. They were Juliana and he forgets the other two. He went just that one time. It must have been at least 30 years ago. Expects you would find nothing left of it now.
Arrived they started around taking great care to go around it in a counter clockwise direction. Inf. forgets just how many plumeros there were. But they were arranged so as to form a circle. This circle was 15 feet across and marked only by the palos (poles). All inside and around outside was clear of weeds.
The palos were about 11 feet tall and inf. imagines they were of palo colorado....In the cleared space inside the circle were other areas hiadas (?) (in any position) and pieces of cloth, handkerchiefs, etc., beads and seeds."
Mike kuhn
12-7-04